68 comments:

Oh Happy Day!!!! A new room in your house to view!! You have impeccable taste and such an interesting mix of things. I am in love with the mirror and tapestry, and am totally intrigued by the candle/wire thing! Gorgeous. Just gorgeous!!!

Gorgeous, Joan! I love the styling on that chest...those stacked mirrors are a great look. And my love for your lamps continues to grow...that green one is stunning. Wish I had Dan's skills! Thank you for sharing this lovely room.

Wow, Joan, what a beautiful room. I adore that antique chest of drawers. And how creative of you to place three mirrors one in front of each other! That sexy chair against the wall is wonderful too. The room looks ready for a visitor. When can I "check in"?Claudia

Soooo inviting! Have any open dates for this room? Kidding of course but it looks so comfy and cozy.

I noticed you have an area rug in this room as well as others in your home. How are they for cleaning and wear? We need to replace the rug in our kitchen area and I do like the look of the sisal rugs but not sure how they would hold up with 8 large paws.

I love your style of vintage elegant simplicity. Of all the many many decorating blogs out there (and I have personally bookmarked over a hundred of my favorites), your style comes closest to the look I'd emulate.

You did it again. So full of interest and charm. What do you think of painting old furniture? Do you think it is a passing fad and that we'll be sorry for it later? I notice you don't use a lot of painted pieces, but I think your antiques are a higher quality than I have.

Your vignettes throughout your home exude personality. I, like you, enjoy the casualness of a mirror or piece of art leaning against a wall rather than formally hung. It is very obvious that you have a flair for and a love of old homes,

awesome, as always, joan. even with very traditional pieces, you make it fresh (stacking mirrors and the "skin" fabric on the chairs.) I'm sure there is a great story behind the mounted candle holders. (what is that anyway?) love your space. donna

Home before dark- I was just informed by a friend what "mittens" were..... So I now know you must be referring to some ad you saw on the blog. I take it you are not aware that the ads that "you" see on the blog are not the same ads that I or someone else see. The ads are direct marketed to your "location" and to your personal "searches"... for example if I google Pottery Barn, then I'm sure to see Pottery Barn ads on the blog. I do NOT pick and choose ads that appear on the blog.... the ads have more to do with your local and what YOU google/click. And, "yes" this is a design blog.

Thanks, Joan. I doubt what I goggle would = Romney! The fact that I am in Kansas might make sense to someone's database, but not what I personally believe. I have to say to say all things being equal I think Ella is the greater truth!

Among the details, I love the dresser, that green baluster (which I am assuming is Chinese), and that small seascape painting. Mostly what I love to look at is the pictures showing the flow and connection from room to room.

I love everything you do Joan!Your guest bedroom is no exception...I admire how you set your dresser up against the drapes, it looks great! Only you can break the rules so beautifully!!!!I love seeing more of your 39 lamps too!!!!I think we share a lamp fetiish!!!I ordered the shades for my "Crespi" lamps... Thanks again!!!

Oh my goodness. You are absolutely amazing. I LOVED everything. Every single detail is so beautiful. You have a gift/talent that is beyond anything I've ever looked at. I'm so excited to see another room. best regards. Wenda Scott maggieandme52@yahoo.com

Another room tour, yay! I actually went and compared this with the North Guest Room, just to see how they go together. Gorgeous! I love all of the textures. Can't wait for the details post. Need to know the story on that wall sconce (sculpture?).

So pretty...love the three mirrors on the chest that you can see as you enter the beautiful room. Just the items on the chest let's you know from way down the hall that you are in for a treat as you enter the room.

Joan...I loved your comment to anonymous. I couldn't see enough pictures of your home. Detail of everything. I also liked what Nancy said and that just fits me to a "T"... "I know what I like when I see it...I just can't make it happen" best, Wenda

I can't believe it!! I have been meaning to make the two old green porch newel posts I bought in Singapore in 2008 into lamps. They are handmade and not level on either end. Did you have this problem? If so, how did you solve it? What about the cord? Did you drill into the ceramic? Found your blog through Pinterest. It's wonderful!

hi Amy, Welcome to the blog. Our balusters were generally level on the bottom- some were slightly off and I will add felt pads all around as the bottoms are rough, but especially on the side that needed to be taller to level it out. The tops were also fairly level. The green Chinese baluster lamp I have in the living room is very unlevel on top, but I simple let it be as the threaded stock and socket are all horizontally level and it works out. Our balusters are hollow, but we have drilled through other ones (stone and wood that were not.) You can either drill or do a French wire were the wire comes off the back, which as you can see in the photos above is what I did with this one. To drill through ceramic you need a diamond tip drill bit.

Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive it and read it. joan

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"when every corner speaks of possibility I know that I am home." -unknown-

Twelve years ago I could not have even pointed out New Hampshire on a map, but here we are! Nine years ago, after living for 15 years in the beehive that is Dallas, Dan and I finally escaped and landed in a very small town in New Hampshire that doesn't even have a traffic light. Perfection! Our move was a huge risk, but it has paid off with dividends and we absolutely love it here. I think we are really Yankees at heart. If you've never been to New England I cannot describe it with adequate words, you really just have to experience it. It is like no other part of the country. Its beauty matches our beloved Colorado, Oregon, and Washington and its spirit (Live Free or Die) is reminiscent of Texas, and the people... well, we have found them to be most genuine. In essence... we feel as if we have arrived home!

the living room

the kitchen

the dining room

the reading room

the master bedroom

the master bath

the North guest room

the South guest room

the guest bath

the barn room

the summer barn room

the barn half bath

the barn mud room

With the eyes to see it and the hands to create it, we can recover the home that the soul desires.
-A. Lawlor-

to send a note, mail to...

fortheloveofahouse@comcast.net

my paint and stain colors:

It's a house with rooms that reflect a place, a feeling, a memory of the past.-unknown-

Simplicity-Making your life a creative work of art. A great piece of art is composed not just of what is in the final piece, but equally important, what is not. It is the discipline to discard what does not fit- to cut out what might have already cost days or even years of effort.